Ray Slijngaard

Raymond Lothar Slijngaard (born 28 June 1971) is a Dutch rapper and musician best known as one half of the Eurodance duo 2 Unlimited.

Ray Slijngaard
Slijngaard in 1994
Background information
Birth nameRaymond Lothar Slijngaard
Also known as
  • Kid Ray
  • Raytac
Born (1971-06-28) 28 June 1971
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1991–present
Labels
  • ZYX
  • BYTE
  • ToCo
  • X-Ray
  • Rayvano
  • Spinnin'
Associated acts

Personal life

Raymond Lothar Slijngaard was born in Amsterdam to a Surinamese father, Lothar Slijngaard, and a Dutch mother, Ingrid. In his early career, he was a chef while dreaming of becoming a rap star—singling out Snoop Dogg as his favourite at the time.[1]

Slijngaard has a son, named Rayvano (b. 1996), with Hortence Gooding.[2]

Music career

2 Unlimited (1991–1996)

2 Unlimited is an electronic music project founded in 1991 by Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde, and fronted by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and Dutch vocalist Anita Doth.[3]

In the early 1990s, Slijngaard was asked to write rap lyrics for a tune written by the two Belgian producers. Slijngaard also wrote a chorus to be sung by a female vocalist, for which he invited Anita Doth. The demo was presented to De Coster and Wilde, leading to Slijngaard joining 2 Unlimited, and "Get Ready for This" was produced as their first single. It became a big hit and was used in sporting events and movies.

Slijngaard rapped on most songs, though a few singles had little involvement by the musician, including "Nothing Like the Rain". The band became an instant success in Europe and throughout the world. Their hits included songs such as "Maximum Overdrive", "No Limit", "Tribal Dance", "The Real Thing", "Twilight Zone", and "Workaholic".

During his time with 2 Unlimited, Slijngaard was known for his hairstyle, which involved a shaved head and a few dreadlocks on his forehead. As the act released new songs, their title was often shaved into the remainder of the rapper's hair.

After sixteen music videos, twenty-three singles, and four albums, the group split up in 1996.

After 2 Unlimited (1996–2009)

After 2 Unlimited broke up in 1996, Slijngaard turned his attention to his own record company, X-Ray Records/Rayvano Productions, named after his son. He also released a singles in 1997, titled "3 x a Day".

In 1999, Slijngaard teamed up with rappers Marvin D, Strezz, and Orphea (Keshaw) to form a new rap group called VIP Allstars. They achieved some success in the summer of 1999 with the tracks "When It's My Turn" and "Mamacita". The music was produced by Cyril Mahabier and Hurrigan Bouman; the two didn't receive credits for their production work, however.

In 2003, Slijngaard worked on a brand new project called Legends. He teamed up with Herman Rarebell from the German rock band Scorpions to release a single called "Eye of the Tiger". In 2007, he did a tour across South America. Apart from 2 Unlimited hits, he also sang a few unreleased tracks, such as "Arabesque", "Round And Round", and "Dance with Me".

2 Unlimited comeback (2009–present)
Slijngaard in 2014

Slijngaard and his former 2 Unlimited colleague Anita Doth reunited on 11 April 2009, to perform together for the first time in 13 years at the "I love the 90s" concert in Hasselt, Belgium.[4] Further gigs followed on 30 April at the Radio 538 Queen's Day concert at Museumplein in Amsterdam, and as a support act for Milk Inc. at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp on 25 September.

Performing under the name Ray & Anita, it was confirmed on 29 December that the duo would release a new single together in 2010, titled "In Da Name of Love". Jean-Paul DeCoster is thought to have denied permission for them to use the name 2 Unlimited, as he still owns the rights to the brand.[5]

On 11 July 2012, it was announced that Slijngaard and Doth would again be working with De Coster under the name 2 Unlimited.[6]

Discography

With 2 Unlimited
Main article: 2 Unlimited discography

Solo singles
Year Single Chart Position
NET
Single T100
1997 "3 X a Day"[7] 66
1997 "Do You Think I'm Sexy"[8] -

Collaborations
Year Single Chart Position
NET
Single T100
1998 "Black Night"
(as Ray & Ian Gillan)[9]		 -
1999 "When It's My Turn"
(as VIP Allstars)[10]		 34
1999 "Mamacita"
(as VIP Allstars)[11]		 68
2010 "Throw It Up"
(as Regi & Ray)[12]		 -
2013 "What U Waitin' 4"
(as The Dutchables featuring Ray & Lovebug)[13]		 -

References
  1. "Ray's Biography". Narod. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  2. "Ray's's Biography". IMDB. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  3. "2 Unlimited Biography". 2 Unlimited Official Website. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  4. "Welkom - I love the 90's - The party". Ilovethe90s.be. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  5. "Nieuwe single 2 Unlimited heet In Da Name Of Love". NLpop. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  6. "2 Unlimited herleeft" (in Dutch). De Telegraaf. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  7. "Ray 3 X A Day". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  8. "Ray, Do You Think I'm Sexy". Discogs. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  9. "Ray & Ian, Black Night". Discogs. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  10. "VIP Allstars When It's My Turn". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  11. "VIP Allstars Mamacita". Belgian Charts. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  12. "Regi & Ray Throw It Up". Belgian Charts. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  13. "What U Waitin' 4". Amazon. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
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